Minnesota Winter Weather Forecast for January, Early February

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — While it may feel relatively like spring compared with early January, when Minnesota lived up to its wintry reputation with temperatures of up to 30 degrees below zero and even colder wind chill indices, it’s not spring. And by next week, you may know winter once again.

Forecasters with AccuWeather.com have released an updated winter weather forecast for the rest of January and early February in Minnesota.The weather is expected to be unseasonably warm over the next couple of weeks as mild Pacific air travels to Minnesota. Surface winds will prevent cold air, often called a polar vortex effect, from traveling from Canada to Minnesota.

Maybe. As most weather services do, AccuWeather hedged its outlook.

"There are some indications that the polar vortex may weaken enough to allow a southward discharge of arctic air prior to the end of the month," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelo said in a news release. “Even in cases when there is certainty about the weakening of the polar vortex, you never know for sure where the discharge of cold air will be directed, such as western versus eastern U.S.”

As the month ends, the eastern part of the United States is expected to trend colder and stormier. “But the question is how much,” Pastelok said.

Enjoy the mild weather while you can.

A major winter storm setting up over the Central states next week is expected to affect a large swath from Flagstaff, Arizona, to as far north as Minneapolis, AccuWeather said. Those living in the affected areas should prepare for some weather-related delays Monday, Jan. 23, to Wednesday, Jan. 25.

That could mean a return of polar vortex-like temperatures to Minnesota, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.

"January may end with near to below-average temperatures and a return of snowy conditions around the Great Lakes and part of the Northeast," Boston said.

Photo by mike wright via Flickr Commons